Tensions ease in Lebanon as Israel, Hezbollah reach ceasefire deal

On November 27 at 4:00 am, a ceasefire agreement came into effect in Lebanon, marking the first truce declared on the northern front since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah entered the conflict with Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza.

The last alarm in northern Israel was reported at 11:23 PM on November 26. Overnight, there were no reported attempts of attacks or drone strikes, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

However, Lebanese sources indicated that Israeli airstrikes continued for several hours before the ceasefire came into effect. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted southern suburbs of Beirut, including the Al-Janah area, as well as locations in the Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon.

Syrian sources also reported IDF airstrikes on both legal and illegal border crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border. In southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit targets in areas such as Ayta ash-Shaab, Al-Qawzah, Hanin, and An-Naqoura.

Shortly after 4:00 AM, Lebanese media reported that refugees were beginning to return to their homes in southern Lebanon.

On the evening before the ceasefire, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the agreement. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the decision was passed with a majority vote of 10 in favor and one against.

"Israel appreciates the United States' contribution to this process and reserves the right to counter any threats to its security," stated a press release from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Responding to the agreement reached, a senior US administration official said that the deal between Israel and Hezbollah could influence Hamas' stance in ceasefire negotiations concerning Gaza, adding that the development could mark a turning point.

"What happened today could be a game-changer," the official said during a briefing.

According to the official, the agreements put pressure on Hamas. He suggested that members of Hamas might now perceive Hezbollah's leadership as having "decided to abandon them and separate the two conflicts."

"No one else will come to their aid. I think this is an important shift on the ground. We'll see if it’s enough to change their position in the negotiations," he added, referring to Hamas.

By Khagan Isayev